Part-Time Genius

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Latest Episodes:

Let's Kiss the Cod in Newfoundland! May 13, 2025

Show notes

Today Will and Mango are taking you on an adventure to the far-flung Canadian island of Newfoundland, a place known for its rugged beauty, majestic icebergs, sneaky fairies, rare fossils, and... moose bologna. Along the way we'll discover some of its unique traditions, like welcoming visitors by making them smooch a fish. Pack your bags and pucker up!

Photo of St. John's, Newfoundland by Ritche Perez via Pexels. Thanks, Ritche!

Have you ever visited Newfoundland? Do you live there right now? Tell us about it on Instagram @parttimegenius!

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PTG Classic: 9 Surprising Facts about Moms May 09, 2025

Show notes

In honor of Mother's Day, Will and Mango talk about what make moms special, from why their hearts are so in sync with their babies to their impact on your driving habits. Plus: how Thomas Edison's mom challenged his teacher—and helped him believe in his own genius.

Photo: Yes, that's Mango and his mom Lalita!

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Why Chickens are Smarter Than You Think! with Sy Montgomery May 06, 2025

Show notes

Chickens are full of surprises, from their understanding of property boundaries to their unique personalities to their ability to recognize (and name!) the humans around them. Author and longtime chicken enthusiast Sy Montgomery stops by to share some fascinating facts—and hilarious true stories—from her new book, What the Chicken Knows.

Buy Sy’s book: https://symontgomery.com/what-the-chicken-knows/

If you have backyard chickens, we want to see them. Tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius!

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Photo by Finn Mund via Unsplash. Thanks, Finn!

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PTG Classic: Who's the Greatest Pirate of All Time? May 02, 2025

Show notes

Will and Mango have so many questions about pirates: Did they really exaggerate their R's? Did they all have parrots? Were lady pirates more successful than male ones? And was there really a rabbi pirate who made his crew keep kosher? From buried treasure to walking the plank, Will and Mango take a good look at the Golden Age of piracy.

Photo via Chris Robert on Unsplash. Thanks, Chris!

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9 Super Catchy Facts About Theme Songs Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Chances are, you’ve heard all these songs made famous by film and TV… but you probably haven’t heard the stories behind them. Why did young Will Smith overrule music legend Quincy Jones? How did a contract clause influence the lyrics to one of the best-known theme songs of the 1960s? And what did Joe DiMaggio really think when Paul Simon wrote a song about him? Turn the volume up, because Will and Mango have the answers!

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Inside Baseball: Magic Mud, Torpedo Bats, and High-Altitude Homers Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Baseball season is underway, so Will and Mango are celebrating with a deep dive into America’s pastime. What’s the secret feminist message of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”? Why are you more likely to hit a home run in Denver than in Miami? And how did the pipe organ become baseball’s semi-official soundtrack? Our brain-bases are loaded and we’re ready to answer these questions, plus many more!

Photo by Jose Francisco Morales via Unsplash. Thanks, Jose!

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PTG Classic: How Did P. T. Barnum Trick the World Into Riding Elevators? Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Elevators seem pretty mundane, until you realize a certain king used them to hide his mistresses, a certain politician used them to exaggerate the height of his buildings, and all of America refused to ride them until a certain marketing genius (the one and only P. T. Barnum!) designed a stunt to get everyone on board.

Photo via Sung Jin Cho on Unsplash. Thanks, Jin!

Next time you're on an elevator staring at your phone, follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius!
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9 Extremely Valuable Facts About Pennies Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

It may be on the verge of extinction, but the humble penny is rich with history. Will and Mango dig deep into their pockets and discover stories like the origin of the phrase “a penny for your thoughts,” the rare penny that’s worth $2.4 million, and an English trend of chopping pennies in half. Plus: The real reason why you shouldn’t swallow a penny from 1982. (Actually, just don’t swallow any pennies ever, please.)

Will you miss the penny if it’s taken out of circulation? Tell us on Instagram @parttimegenius!

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PTG Classic: Why Are We So Fascinated By the Titanic? Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Today marks the 113th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, so we're bringing back this classic episode! For some reason our hearts keep going on and on for the Titanic. But what was life actually like on the ship? Why were there so many electric horses on board? How bad did third class passengers have it? And did Hollywood really produce a silent movie about the disaster just two weeks after it occurred? Will and Mango investigate.

Sorry, we know the song's stuck in your head now. Tell us about it on Instagram @parttimegenius!

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PTG Classic: What Flavor Is Dr Pepper? Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Dr Pepper's flavor is just one of many questions we have about the drink. Who is the doctor behind Dr Pepper? Is tomato one of the soda's 23 secret ingredients? Should you actually be drinking your Dr Pepper hot? And why doesn't Dr Pepper have a period in its name? (Does the good doctor think it's above the laws of grammar?!) Also, what did Dr Pepper do to make Guns 'n Roses so angry? Will and Mango have a lot of questions... and at least 9 answers for you.

What's your favorite soda (or do you call it pop)? Tell us about it on our Instagram @parttimegenius!

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